AIR Poker wins Rep. Steve Scalise’s 2025 Congressional App Challenge in Louisiana’s First District

When asked what inspired the creation of AIR Poker, Arav Gandhi said, “Gambling addiction is always downplayed as a moral failing rather than the serious mental illness that it is. What inspired me to create AIR Poker was when I understood that people with gambling issues typically don’t have ready, supportive resources to help them take back control. I wanted to provide an environment where they could still get the thrill of the game, without committing behaviors that were harming them.

“My interest began when I learned about how behavioral psychology and user interface design impact decision-making. I found that many apps are designed to keep people addicted, more often by compromising their well-being. This made me wonder: could I use the same tools and flip them for people to break unhelpful habits?

“At about the same time, I also came across stories from others on recovery forums who missed playing poker but were unable to return to it without relapse. That resonated with me. Poker was something they once loved, but now they deliberately avoided because of the danger it posed. Thus, AIR Poker was born from the idea that the game itself is not evil—what’s evil is how it’s constructed and played.

“This project enabled me to combine my passion for programming with a real-world challenge. I did not want to build yet another game. I wanted to build a platform that bridges fun and reflection, competition and calm, risk and prudence. Every aspect—be it the adaptive AI or the journaling option, or achievement badges—was built towards this vision of balance and behavior awareness. Early user feedback has been that these features encourage reflective play and emotional regulation, helping users to stay immersed but not lose control. For example, one user shared how journaling after sessions helped them recognize triggers and maintain better control over their impulses.

“As a proponent of responsible software design, this project is my answer to believing technology can help individuals, not dominate them. AIR Poker is my attempt to turn a high-risk environment into a protected, personal space of development, emotional regulation, and fun. Through this process, I learned how much empathy and intention matter in technology creation—lessons that have deeply shaped how I view software’s role in people’s lives. It’s a testament to those who are trying to mend and a reminder that technology is meant to empower, not oppress.”